In 2016 a partially effective vaccine for dengue fever (Dengvaxia) became commercially available in 11 countries: Mexico, the Philippines, Indonesia, Brazil, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Paraguay, Guatemala, Peru, Thailand, and Singapore.[5][6][7] In Indonesia it costs about US$207 for the recommended three doses.[7] WHO updated its recommendations regarding the use of Dengvaxia in September 2018 based on the evidence that seronegative vaccine recipients have an excess risk of severe dengue compared to unvaccinated seronegative individuals. It is not clear why the vaccinated sereonegative population have more serious adverse outcomes. A plausible hypothesis is the phenomenon of antibody-dependent enhancement.[8]

A vaccine to prevent dengue (Dengvaxia®) is licensed and available in some countries for people ages 9-45 years old. The World Health Organization recommends that the vaccine only be given to persons with confirmed prior dengue virus infection.

The vaccine manufacturer, Sanofi Pasteur, announced in 2017 that people who receive the vaccine and have not been previously infected with a dengue virus may be at risk of developing severe dengue if they get dengue after being vaccinated.

Dengue Vaccine in the United States

In May 2019, Dengvaxia® was approvedexternal icon by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States for use in children 9-16 years old living in an area where dengue is common (the US territories of American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands), with laboratory confirmed prior dengue virus infection.

Information on the vaccine’s availability in the US territories is pending.

If you are interested in getting vaccinated with Dengvaxia

Talk to your healthcare provider.

Three doses of vaccine are required. Each shot is spaced 6 months apart.